BOLD variations and reduced CBF increases upon hypoxia are indicative for the hippocampal vulnerability

Vanhoutte G, Verhoye M, Van der Linden A

University of Antwerp

We studied the effect of hypoxia on the hemodynamic response in the mouse brain. In particular we focused on the outcome of the hippocampus versus the cortex because the hippocampal formation is known to be highly vulnerable to neuronal damage. The aim of this study was to elucidate how regional differences in hemodynamics might account for vulnerability differences. First, bolus tracking outlined perfusion parameters such as cerebral blood flow and cerebral blood volume in normoxic condition. Next, arterial spin labeling was applied during hypoxia to detect cerebral flow changes and this was correlated to changes in BOLD contrast.